Dental care becomes more important during pregnancy

Pregnancy is an exciting and busy time in a woman’s life. It’s exciting because so many things change, grow and are created in such a short span of time. It’s busy because of appointments and preparing for the baby’s arrival. Routine trips to the dentist could get lost in the shuffle, and it’s easy for the health of your teeth and gums to go way down the priority list.

You might also question if it’s OK to go to the dentist when you’re pregnant, especially when it comes to X-rays. The interesting thing about the body is that it sends little reminders. If you’ve forgotten about your gums and teeth, they are going to let you know.

Not only is a dental visit safe while you’re pregnant, we want you to make an appointment. The health of your gums and teeth should be monitored during this period of time because it can impact your developing child. During X-rays, your dentist will shield your abdomen with a lead apron and will take only the minimum number of X-rays to make a diagnosis and confidently provide the care you need. Technology has come a long way. Digital X-rays greatly reduce the amount of radiation needed to produce the image.

During your appointment, your dentist also will encourage good oral hygiene and healthy foods. What you eat can greatly impact the health of the teeth so it’s important to have a diet low in sugar to avoid decay.

This is also a great opportunity to discuss with your dentist pregnancy’s implications on the teeth and gums, as well as to start learning when a child should first see a dentist and what to expect for his or her future dental care.

Morning sickness exposes teeth to excess acid. Women who suffer from morning sickness have an increased risk of tooth decay and acid erosion of the teeth, so if you suffer from this condition, it’s another reason to see your dentist.

Many pregnant women say their gums bleed when they brush, or they have a bump on their gum that wasn’t there before and it bleeds sometimes. The hormones that surge to promote the pregnancy can also create a higher likelihood of gingivitis or exacerbate existing gum disease. If you were not taking good care of your teeth and gums prior to pregnancy, it’s very likely they will really let you know about it now. The importance of flossing during this time cannot be emphasized enough. It’s important to keep the level of inflammation throughout the body at a minimum during pregnancy, which includes inflammation of the gums.

Dental care isn’t always the most enjoyable activity during pregnancy due to a growing belly and increased sensitivity to gagging. For mothers-to-be farther along in pregnancy, positioning in the dental chair is important to keep the weight of the baby shifted to the side. Of course, if you are concerned about what is best for both Mom and baby, ask your dentist to collaborate with your treating obstetrician.

Poor dental health can affect the baby’s health. A large body of research has indicated a link between gum or periodontal disease and preterm birth. Also, you or a caregiver can put your baby at greater risk for tooth decay after it is born. If you or a caregiver have active tooth decay and gum disease, the bacteria that cause decay can be transmitted to the child by the sharing of saliva. This happens most often when Mom, Dad or any caregiver pretends to “eat” a baby’s fingers. As soon as those little fingers go into the baby’s mouth, bacteria are transferred. This can also occur through the sharing of utensils, cups or toothbrushes.

If you are planning on getting pregnant, and haven’t had routine dental care, it is a great idea to see a dentist for an exam in order to address any dental problems before becoming pregnant.

Don’t put off your dental treatment. Maintaining a healthy mouth is not only important to you but also to your developing child.

Dr. Rebecca Cornille heads a team of 13 dentists at Vista Community Clinic, which serves patients in coastal North County.